Cushioning material for packaging and packaging matter

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a cushioning material for packaging that is suitable for packaging an electronic apparatus, an optical apparatus or an electronic apparatus having an optical system mounted therein, and a package that uses the cushioning material for packaging. A lower spacer  7  formed of corrugated cardboard, a lower pad  20,  a projector  50  as an article to be packaged that is wrapped in an anti-static bag  500  having electrical conductivity, an upper pad  10  and an upper spacer  8  formed of a corrugated cardboard are stacked inside a corrugated cardboard box  2  in the foregoing order named. The upper and lower pads  10  and  20  are respectively provided with a plurality of upper pad side hollow convex portions  15  and a plurality of lower pad side hollow convex portions  25  protruding in such a fashion as to encompass an accommodation space  21  for the projector  50.  Upper and lower side reinforcing plate portions  81  and  71  of the upper and lower spacers  8  and  7  respectively enter deep into these convex portions  15  and  25.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a cushioning material for packagingthat is suitable for packaging an electronic apparatus, an opticalapparatus or an electronic apparatus having an optical system mountedtherein, and a package using this cushioning material for packaging.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] An electronic apparatus having an optical system mounted therein,such as a projector, must be protected from being damaged by impact fromthe outside during transportation while the apparatus is packaged into acorrugated cardboard box. For example, a cushioning material forpackaging that has an upper pad 10 and a lower pad 20 shown in FIGS. 21and 22 has been used in the past. A lower stiffening plate 3 formed of acorrugated cardboard, a lower pad 20, a projector 50 as an article to bepackaged (or an optical engine mounted in the projector) that is wrappedby an anti-static bag 500, an upper pad 10 and an upper stiffening plate4 formed of a corrugated cardboard are stacked and accommodated in thisorder into a corrugated cardboard box 2 (discrete box). Here, both upperand lower pads 10 and 20 are formed of pulp mold or the like. Aplurality of upper pad side hollow convex portions 15 and a plurality oflower pad side hollow convex portions 25 protrude respectively fromthese upper and lower pads 10 and 20 in such a fashion as to encompassan accommodation space 21 of the projector 50. Therefore, the projector50 is encompassed by the upper pad side convex portions 15 and the lowerpad side hollow convex portions 25 between the upper pad 10 and thelower pad 20 and is protected from vibration during transportation.

[0003] In some cases, the lower stiffening plate 3 formed of acorrugated cardboard, the lower pad 20, the projector 50 as the articleto be packaged, the upper pad 10 and an accessory accommodation box 6have been put in this order into the corrugated cardboard box 2 as shownin FIG. 23. In this case, too, the projector 50 is encompassed by theupper pad side hollow convex portion 15 and the lower pad side hollowconvex portion 25 between the upper pad 10 and the lower pad 20 and isprotected from vibration during transportation.

[0004] Furthermore, the lower stiffening plate 3 formed of a corrugatedcardboard, the lower pad 20, the projector 50 as the article to bepackaged that is wrapped by the anti-static bag 500 and the accessoryaccommodation box 6 have been put and accommodated in the past in thisorder into the corrugated cardboard box 2 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.

[0005] In such packaging structures, both the upper and lower pads 10and 20 have been formed of pulp mold or the like in the past. The upperand lower pads 10 and 20 formed of the pulp mold are broken when impactis imparted to the package, and thus absorb the impact.

[0006] The corrugated cardboard box 2 packaging therein the projector 50is sometimes dropped accidentally during transportation and a largeimpact is applied at this time to the projector 50 inside the corrugatedcardboard box 2. Nonetheless, the cushioning materials according to theprior art sometimes fail to reliably protect the projector 50, andfurther improvement has been desired.

[0007] An instruction manual of the projector 50 written in principallanguages is packaged together with the projector 50. When the projector50 is exported to countries where languages other than the principallanguages described above are used, an instruction manual written inspecific languages must be inserted in place of the original instructionmanual. In the packaging structure shown in FIG. 24, however, it isnecessary to unpack the package and to take out the instruction manualfrom the accessory accommodation box 6 for replacement after theprojector is completely packaged for export procedures or the like, andthis operation is very troublesome.

[0008] In view of the problems described above, the invention aims atproviding a cushioning material for packaging that is suitable forpackaging an electronic apparatus, an optical apparatus or an electronicapparatus having an optical system mounted therein, and a package usingthis cushioning material for packaging.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] To solve the problems, the invention uses the followingconstruction for both types of a cushioning material for packaging thatuses both upper and lower pads as pads and a cushioning material forpackaging that uses only the lower pad but does not use the upper pad.

[0010] First, in a cushioning material for packaging having upper andlower pads respectively having upper pad side hollow convex portions andlower pad side hollow convex portions protruding in such a fashion as toencompass an accommodation space for an article to be packaged, thecushioning material for packaging of the first type that uses both upperand lower pads further includes an upper spacer having upper sidereinforcing plate portions entering the depth of the upper pad sidehollow convex portions when the upper spacer is put over the upper pad.

[0011] In a cushioning material for packaging having upper and lowerpads respectively having upper pad side hollow convex portions and lowerpad side hollow convex portions protruding in such a fashion as toencompass an accommodation space for an article to be packaged, thecushioning material for packaging further includes a lower spacer havinglower side reinforcing plate portions entering the depth of the lowerpad side hollow convex portions when the lower spacer is put under thelower pad.

[0012] In a cushioning material for packaging, comprising an upper padand a lower pad respectively having upper pad side hollow convexportions and lower pad side hollow convex portions protruding in such afashion as to encompass an accommodation space for an article to bepackaged, the cushioning material for packaging further includes a lowerspacer having lower side reinforcing plate portions entering the depthof the lower pad side hollow convex portions when the lower spacer isput under the lower pad, and an upper spacer having upper sidereinforcing plate portions entering the depth of the upper pad sidehollow convex portions when the upper spacer is put over the upper pad.

[0013] According to the constructions described above, the upper padside hollow convex portions or the lower pad side hollow convex portionsare reinforced by the upper side reinforcing plate portions of the upperspacer or the lower side reinforcing plate portions of the lower spacer.Therefore, even when impact is applied, the upper pad side hollow convexportions or the lower pad side hollow convex portions are not broken butreliably protect the article to be packaged from the impact.

[0014] In a cushioning material for packaging, comprising an upper padand a lower pad respectively having upper pad side hollow convexportions and lower pad side hollow convex portions protruding in such afashion as to encompass an accommodation space for an article to bepackaged, the cushioning material for packaging of the invention furtherincludes a convex portion and a concave portion one of which enters theother, respectively formed in a lower end face of the upper pad sidehollow convex portion and in an upper end face of the lower pad sidehollow convex portion.

[0015] According to such a construction, the upper pad side hollowconvex portions and the lower pad side hollow convex portions engagewith one another through the convex portions and the concave portions.Even when impact is applied from the side surfaces, the upper pad andthe lower pad are not deviated from each other. Consequently, the impactfrom the direction of the side surfaces is not transmitted to thearticle to be packaged through the upper pad or the lower pad.

[0016] The embodiment described above preferably includes either anupper spacer having upper side reinforcing plate portions entering thedepth of the upper pad side hollow convex portions when the upper spaceris put over the upper pad, or a lower spacer having lower pad sidereinforcing plate portions entering the depth of the lower pad sidehollow convex portions when the lower spacer is put under the lower pad,or both.

[0017] The lower spacer described above preferably includes an openingthat is formed in the lower spacer at a portion overlapping plane-wisewith a portion where the article to be packaged is accommodated.According to this construction, even when impact is applied from avertical direction, the impact is not directly transmitted from thelower spacer to the accommodation portion of the article to be packagedin the lower pad. Therefore, the impact transmitted to the article to bepackaged from the vertical direction can be mitigated. Similarly, theupper spacer, too, preferably includes an opening that is formed in theupper spacer at a portion overlapping plane-wise with a portion wherethe article to be packaged is accommodated. According to such aconstruction, even when impact is applied from the vertical direction,the impact is not directly transmitted from the upper spacer to theaccommodation portion of the article to be packaged in the upper pad.Therefore, the impact transmitted to the article to be packaged from thevertical direction can be mitigated.

[0018] In the invention, the upper spacer described above is formed of acorrugated cardboard, for example. The lower spacer, too, is formed ofthe corrugated cardboard, for example.

[0019] In the invention, the upper and lower spacers may be formed ofpulp mold or the like, but is preferably formed of sheet-like plasticfoam produced from recycled PET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate).Whereas the pulp mold absorbs the impact when it is broken, the plasticfoam absorbs the impact through its deformation, and then returns to itsoriginal shape. Therefore, when the upper and lower pads formed of theplastic foam are employed, the appearance before the application of theimpact can be retained even after the impact is applied.

[0020] Next, in the case of the second type cushioning material forpackaging that uses the lower pad but does not use the upper pad, theinvention is constituted in the following way. Namely, in a cushioningmaterial for packaging, comprising a lower pad having lower pad sidehollow convex portions protruding in such a fashion as to encompass anaccommodation space for an article to be packaged, and an accessoryaccommodation body put over the article to be packaged accommodated inthe lower pad, the cushioning material for packaging of the inventionfurther includes, between the article to be packaged and the accessoryaccommodation body, an upper spacer having upper side reinforcing plateportions bent along a sidewall portion of the lower pad at positionsmore outward than the sidewall portion.

[0021] In the invention, the article to be packaged is under the statewhere it is accommodated between the upper spacer and the lower pad.Under this state, the upper spacer keeps contact with the lower surfaceof the accessory accommodation body the upper part of which has a boxshape or tray shape, and the upper side reinforcing plate portionsextend from the upper spacer along the sidewall portions of the lowerpad at positions more outward than the sidewall portions. Therefore,even when the impact is transmitted from the vertical direction, theupper side reinforcing plate portions of the upper spacer protect thelower pad side hollow convex portions of the lower pad. In other words,even when the impact is transmitted from the vertical direction, thelower pad side hollow convex portions are not broken but reliablyprotect the article to be packaged from the impact.

[0022] In a cushioning material for packaging, comprising a lower padhaving lower pad side hollow convex portions protruding in such afashion as to encompass an accommodation space for an article to bepackaged, and an accessory accommodation body put over the article to bepackaged accommodated in the lower pad, the cushioning material forpackaging according to the invention further includes, between thearticle to be packaged and the accessory accommodation body, an upperspacer having prismatic hollow portions sandwiched between the articleto be packaged and the lower pad side hollow convex portions.

[0023] In this invention, too, the article to be packaged is under thestate where it is accommodated between the upper spacer and the lowerpad. Under this state, the upper spacer keeps contact with the lowersurface of the accessory accommodation body the upper part of which hasa box shape or tray shape, and the hollow portions of the upper spacerexist between the accessory accommodation body and the lower pad.Therefore, even when the limit of molding exists to the height of thelower pad side hollow convex portions, the article to be packaged havinga greater size can be accommodated by the height corresponding to theheight of the prismatic hollow portions. In such a case, too, thearticle to be packaged is protected between the upper spacer and thelower pad from the vertical direction and the direction of the sidesurfaces, and the impact is not directly transmitted.

[0024] In the invention, the upper spacer is formed of the corrugatedcardboard, for example.

[0025] In the invention, the sidewall portion of the lower pad ispreferably recessed inward to thereby provide a step portion capable ofarranging the accessory in the recessed portion. According to such aconstruction, the accessories such as a power source cable and aninstruction manual can be inserted, whenever necessary, by merelyforming a window in a side surface of the corrugated cardboard box forexterior decoration.

[0026] In a cushioning material for packaging, comprising a lower padhaving lower pad side hollow convex portions protruding in such afashion as to encompass an accommodation space for an article to bepackaged, and an accessory accommodation body put over the article to bepackaged accommodated in the lower pad, the cushioning material forpackaging according to the invention further has a construction whereinthe accessory accommodation body is partitioned by a partition into aplurality of spaces, the partition and a bottom of the accessoryaccommodation body define between them a space into which an instructionmanual among the accessories can be inserted, and a charge port capableof charging the instruction manual into the space defined between thepartition and the bottom of the accessory accommodation body is formedin a side surface of the accessory accommodation body.

[0027] The accessory accommodation body includes, for example, anaccessory accommodation box partitioned by a partition into a pluralityof spaces and an accessory accommodation tray accommodated in one ofthese spaces. The partition and the charge port are formed in theaccessory accommodation box, and the accessory accommodation tray andthe bottom of the accessory accommodation box define the space intowhich the instruction manual charged from the charge port can beinserted while passing under the partition.

[0028] According to such a construction, the partition partitions theinside of the accessory accommodation body, and the accessories such asthe power source cable can be accommodated in the respective portions.When the instruction is exchanged, it can be inserted while passingunder the partition. Therefore, even when the partition partitions theinside of the accessory accommodation body, the instruction manual canbe accommodated across the spaces. The instruction manual can be easilyexchanged after the accessories are accommodated in the accessoryaccommodation body, too.

[0029] The invention preferably includes a lower spacer having lowerside reinforcing plate portions that enter the depth of the lower padside hollow convex portions when the lower spacer is put under the lowerpad. In this case, too, if an opening is formed in the lower spacer at aportion overlapping plane-wise a portion where the article to bepackaged is accommodated, the impact is not directly transmitted fromthe lower spacer to the article accommodation portion in the lower padeven when the impact is applied from the vertical direction. Therefore,the impact applied to the article to be packaged from the verticaldirection can be mitigated. Such a lower spacer, too, can be formed ofthe corrugated cardboard, for example.

[0030] In the invention, a flat sheet-like lower stiffening plate putunder the lower pad may be used in place of the lower spacer having thelower side reinforcing portions. In this case, too, an opening ispreferably formed in the lower stiffening plate at a portion overlappingplane-wise with a portion where the article to be packaged isaccommodated. According to such a construction, the impact is notdirectly transmitted from the lower stiffening plate to the articleaccommodation portion of the lower pad even when the impact is appliedfrom the vertical direction. Therefore, the impact applied to thearticle to be packaged from the vertical direction can be mitigated. Thelower stiffening plate, too, can be formed of the corrugated cardboard,for example.

[0031] In the second type cushioning material for packaging, too, theupper and lower pads may be formed of pulp mold, but are preferablyformed of sheet-like plastic foam produced from recycled PET (recycledpolyethylene terephthalate). Whereas the pulp mold absorbs the impactwhen it is broken, the plastic foam absorbs the impact through itsdeformation, and then returns to its original shape. Therefore, when theupper and lower pads formed of the plastic foam are employed, theappearance before the application of the impact can be retained evenafter the impact is applied.

[0032] In all embodiments of the invention, the lower pad preferably hasa flange portion extended from an edge of a sidewall portion positionedon an outer peripheral side, and the flange portion preferablyconstitutes the sidewall reinforcing portion in which it is turned backinside the sidewall portion to double the sidewall portion. According tosuch a construction, the sidewall of the lower pad has the double walland the strength of the sidewall reinforcing portion to the impact fromthe vertical direction or from the direction of the side surface can beincreased.

[0033] In this case, reinforcing ribs are preferably formed on theflange portion.

[0034] In the invention, the article to be packaged is an electronicapparatus, an electronic apparatus having an optical system mountedtherein, or an optical apparatus.

[0035] The cushioning material for packaging according to the inventionis used for packaging the article to be packaged into the corrugatedcardboard box.

[0036] When the sidewall portion of the lower pad is recessed inward tothereby define a step portion capable of arranging the accessory in therecessed portion, a window for charging the accessory in the recessedportion is preferably formed in the side surface of the corrugatedcardboard box. When the accessory accommodation box having the chargeport capable of putting the instruction manual into, and taking it outfrom, the tray is used as the accessory accommodation body, a window forcharging the accessory into the charge port is preferably formed in heside surface of the corrugated cardboard box. According to thisconstruction, the accessories such as the power source cable and theinstruction manual can be easily replaced even after packaging iscompleted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037]FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a mode of packaging aprojector (electronic apparatus) as an article to be packaged into acorrugated cardboard box using a cushioning material for packagingaccording to Embodiment 1 of the invention.

[0038]FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing a mode ofpackaging the projector into the corrugated cardboard box using thecushioning material for packaging shown in FIG. 1.

[0039]FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing in magnification a flangeportion extended from a lower edge of a sidewall portion positioned onan outer peripheral side of a lower pad used in the cushioning materialfor packaging shown in FIG. 1.

[0040]FIGS. 4A and 4B are a sectional view showing a mode of packaging aprojector (electronic apparatus) as an article to be packaged using acushioning material for packaging according to Embodiment 2 of theinvention and a sectional view showing in magnification an overlapportion between an upper pad side hollow convex portion and a lower padside hollow convex portion, respectively.

[0041]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a lower padused in the cushioning material for packaging shown in FIG. 4.

[0042]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a lower pad used in acushioning material for packaging according to Embodiment 3 of theinvention.

[0043]FIG. 7 is a sectional view schematically showing a mode ofpackaging a projector (electronic apparatus) as an article to bepackaged into a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning material forpackaging having the lower pad shown in FIG. 6.

[0044]FIG. 8 is a sectional view schematically showing main portions ofa cushioning material for packaging according to Embodiment 4 of theinvention.

[0045]FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are a perspective view showing main portionsof an upper pad used for a cushioning material for packaging accordingto Embodiment 5 of the invention, a perspective view schematicallyshowing main portions of a lower pad used for this cushioning materialfor packaging, and a sectional view schematically showing a mode ofpackaging a projector (electronic apparatus) as an article to bepackaged into a corrugated cardboard box using the cushioning materialfor packaging, respectively.

[0046]FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a mode of packaging aprojector into a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning materialfor packaging according to Embodiment 6 of the invention.

[0047]FIG. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing a conditionwhere the corrugated cardboard box packaged as shown in FIG. 10 is cutin a minor side direction.

[0048]FIG. 12 is a sectional view schematically showing a conditionwhere the corrugated cardboard box packaged as shown in FIG. 10 is cutin a major side direction.

[0049]FIG. 13 is a sectional view schematically showing a conditionwhere the corrugated cardboard box into which a projector is packaged asshown in FIG. 10 using a cushioning material for packaging according toEmbodiment 7 is cut in a minor side direction.

[0050]FIG. 14 is a sectional view schematically showing a conditionwhere the corrugated cardboard box packaged as shown in FIG. 13 is cutin a major side direction.

[0051]FIGS. 15A and 15B are a sectional view showing a mode of packaginga projector (electronic apparatus) as an article to be packaged into acorrugated cardboard box using a cushioning material for packagingaccording to Embodiment 8 of the invention and a perspective viewshowing an upper spacer used for the cushioning material for packaging,respectively.

[0052]FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a mode of packaging aprojector into a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning materialfor packaging according to Embodiment 9 of the invention.

[0053]FIG. 17 is a sectional view schematically showing a conditionwhere the corrugated cardboard box packaged as shown in FIG. 16 is cutin a minor side direction.

[0054]FIG. 18 is a sectional view schematically showing a conditionwhere the corrugated cardboard box packaged as shown in FIG. 16 is cutin a major side direction.

[0055]FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a mode of packaging aprojector into a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning materialfor packaging according to Embodiment 10 of the invention.

[0056]FIG. 20 is a sectional view schematically showing a conditionwhere the corrugated cardboard box packaged as shown in FIG. 19 is cutin a minor side direction.

[0057]FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a mode of packaging aprojector into a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning materialfor packaging according to the prior art.

[0058]FIG. 22 is a sectional view schematically showing a conditionwhere the corrugated cardboard box packaged as shown in FIG. 21 is cut.

[0059]FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing a mode of packaging aprojector into a corrugated cardboard box using another cushioningmaterial for packaging according to the prior art.

[0060]FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing a mode of packaging aprojector into a corrugated cardboard box using still another cushioningmaterial for packaging according to the prior art.

[0061]FIG. 25 is a sectional view schematically showing a conditionwhere the corrugated cardboard box packaged as shown in FIG. 24 is cut.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0062] Best mode for carrying out the invention will be explained withreference to the accompanying drawings. Incidentally, all theembodiments that will be hereinafter explained have the same fundamentalconstruction as that of the prior art. Therefore, explanation will begiven while like reference numerals are assigned to constituent portionshaving common functions.

Embodiment 1

[0063]FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively an explanatory view showing a modeof packaging a projector (an electronic apparatus) as an article to bepackaged in corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning material forpackaging according to the invention and a sectional view schematicallyshowing the packaging mode. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing inmagnification a flange portion extended from a lower edge of a sidewallportion positioned on an outer peripheral side of a lower pad used inthis embodiment.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an article to be packaged using acushioning material 1 for packaging according to the embodiment is aprojector (or an optical engine to be mounted in the projector) 50,wherein a projection lens 56 protrudes from a front surface of theprojector 50.

[0065] To package such a projector 50 in a corrugated cardboard box 2 (adiscrete box), in this embodiment a lower spacer 7 formed of corrugatedcardboard, a lower pad 20, the projector 50 as the article to bepackaged that is wrapped in an anti-static bag 500 having electricalconductivity, an upper pad 10 and an upper spacer 8 formed of corrugatedcardboard are put one over another in the foregoing order inside thecorrugated cardboard box 2.

[0066] A plurality of upper pad side hollow convex portions 15 and aplurality of lower pad side hollow convex portions 25 respectivelyprotrude from the upper pad 10 and from the lower pad 20 in such afashion as to encompass an accommodation space 21 of the projector 50. Alower end face of each upper pad side hollow convex portion 15 keepscontact with an upper end face of each lower pad side hollow convexportion 25. Therefore, the projector 50 is encompassed by the upper padside hollow convex portions 15 and the lower pad side hollow convexportions 25 between the upper pad 10 and the lower pad 20 and isprotected from vibration during transportation.

[0067] Here, a pulp mold can be used for the upper and lower pads 10 and20, but in this embodiment a molding of plastic foam in a sheet formhaving a thickness of 2 mm and produced from recycled PET is used. Whenthe pulp mold is used for the upper and lower pads 10 and 20, it absorbsimpact by breaking up. In contrast, the plastic foam absorbs impact bydeforming and then returns to its original shape after the impact.Therefore, when the upper and lower pads 10 and 20 of the plastic foamare used, even after an impact is applied they can retain the appearanceit had before the impact. Moreover, the upper and lower pads 10 and 20produced from recycled PET have the advantages of both protecing theenvironmental and reducing cost.

[0068] The upper spacer 8 in this embodiment has four upper sidereinforcing plate portions 81 that enter deep into the upper pad sidehollow convex portions 15 when the upper spacer 8 is put over the upperpad 10, and that are formed in a bent form. Each reinforcing plateportion 81 exhibits a U-shaped section when it is cut in directions ofboth minor and major sides.

[0069] The lower spacer 7, too, has four lower side reinforcing plateportions 71 that enter deep into the lower pad side hollow convexportions 25 when the lower spacer 7 is put under the lower pad 20, andthat are formed in a bent form. Each reinforcing plate portion 71exhibits a U-shaped section when it is cut in directions of both minorand major sides.

[0070] In other words, the upper side reinforcing plate portions 81 andthe lower side reinforcing plate portions 71 of the upper and lowerspacers 8 and 7 respectively work to reinforce the upper pad side hollowconvex portions 15 and the lower pad side hollow convex portions 25.Therefore, even if an impact is applied from both a vertical directionand the direction of the side surfaces, the upper-pad-side hollow convexportions 25 and the lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 15 will not bebroken, and will reliably protect the projector 50 from the impact.

[0071] In this embodiment, an opening 70 is formed at a center portionof the lower spacer 7 that overlaps plane-wise the accommodation portionof the projector 50. An opening 80 is formed at a center portion of theupper spacer 8 that overlaps plane-wise the accommodation portion of theprojector 50. Therefore, even when the accommodation portion of theprojector 50 protrudes in the vertical direction into both upper andlower pads 10 and 20, it does not hit the upper and lower spacers 8 and7. In other words, even if an impact is applied from the verticaldirection, the impact will not be directly transmitted from the upperand lower spacers 8 and 7 to the accommodation portion of the projector50 in the upper and lower pads 10 and 20. Consequently, the impacttransmitted to the projector 50 in the vertical direction can bemitigated.

[0072] In the embodiment, a flange portion 22 is extended from a loweredge 251 of a sidewall portion 250 positioned on an outer peripheralside of the lower pad 20 as shown in FIG. 3. Both end portions 221 ofthis flange portion 22 are turned up as indicated by arrow A and arethen turned back inside the sidewall portion 250 as indicated by arrowB, thereby constituting side wall reinforcing portions that provide adouble wall to the sidewall portions. Since the sidewall portion 250 ofthe lower pad 20 has the double wall in this embodiment, it has highstrength against the impact from the vertical direction or the directionof the side surface. Moreover, because reinforcing ribs 220 are formedon the flange portion 22, the reinforcing effect is high. Though thisembodiment explains the arrangement where the flange portion 22 isformed on one side of the lower pad 20, the flange portion may be formedon the other side of the lower pad 20 or on the upper pad 10 dependingon the sizes of the lower and upper pad 20 and 10 or on the size of theraw material forming these pads.

Embodiment 2

[0073]FIGS. 4A and 4B are respectively a sectional view showing a modeof packaging a projector (an electronic apparatus) as an article to bepackaged in a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning material forpackaging according to Embodiment 2 of the invention and a sectionalview showing in magnification an overlap portion between anupper-pad-side hollow convex portion 15 and a lower-pad-side hollowconvex portion 25. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of alower pad used in the cushioning material for packaging in thisembodiment. Since the cushioning material for packaging according tothis embodiment has fundamentally the same construction as that ofEmbodiment 1, like reference numerals will be used to identify portionshaving common functions and their explanation will be omitted.

[0074] To package the projector 50 in the corrugated cardboard box 2 (adiscrete box), in this embodiment, too, the lower spacer 7 formed ofcorrugated cardboard, the lower pad 20 formed of sheet-like plasticfoam, the projector 50 as the article to be packaged, that is wrapped inan anti-static bag 500 having electrical conductivity, the upper pad 10formed of sheet-like plastic foam and the upper spacer 8 formed ofcorrugated cardboard are put one over another in the foregoing orderinside the corrugated cardboard box 2 as shown in FIG. 4A.

[0075] A plurality of upper pad side hollow convex portions 15 and aplurality of lower pad side hollow convex portions 25 respectivelyprotrude from the upper pad 10 and from the lower pad 20 in such afashion as to encompass the accommodation space 21 of the projector 50.The lower end face of each upper pad side hollow convex portion 15 keepscontact with the upper end face of each lower pad side hollow convexportion 25. Therefore, the projector 50 is encompassed by the upper padside hollow convex portions 15 and the lower pad side hollow convexportions 25 between the upper pad 10 and the lower pad 20 and isprotected from vibration during transportation.

[0076] In this embodiment, a convex portion 159 is formed on the lowerend face of each upper pad side hollow convex portion 15 while a concaveportion 259 mating with the convex portion 159 is formed on the upperend face of each lower pad side hollow convex portion 25 as shown inFIG. 4B. Such a convex portion 259 can be formed, for example, at fourcorners of the lower pad side hollow convex portion 25 of the lower pad20 that is so formed as to encompass the accommodation space 21 for theprojector 50 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0077] In the cushioning material 1 for packaging having such aconstruction, the upper pad side hollow convex portion 15 and the lowerpad side hollow convex portion 25 are engaged with each other at theconvex portion 159 and the concave portion 259. Therefore, even if animpact is applied from the direction of the side surface, the upper pad10 and the lower pad 20 will not deviate from each other, and the wallsurface of the upper-pad-side hollow convex portion 15 will not hit theprojector 50 hard. In consequence, the impact from the direction of theside surface is not transmitted to the projector 50 through the upperpad 10 or the lower pad 20.

[0078] Incidentally, it is also possible to employ a construction inwhich a concave portion is formed on the lower end face of the upper padside hollow convex portion 15 and another concave portion, into whichthe convex portion formed on the lower end face of the upper pad sidehollow convex potion fits, is formed on the upper end face of the lowerpad side hollow convex portion 25.

Embodiment 3

[0079]FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively a perspective view showing a lowerpad used in a cushioning material for packaging according to Embodiment3 of the invention and a sectional view schematically showing a mode ofpackaging a projector (an electronic apparatus) as an article to bepackaged in a corrugated cardboard box using the cushioning material forpackaging having the lower pad. Since the cushioning material forpackaging according to this embodiment has fundamentally the sameconstruction as that of Embodiment 1, like reference numerals will beused to identify portions having common functions and their explanationwill be omitted.

[0080] To package the projector 50 in the corrugated cardboard box 2 (adiscrete box), in this embodiment, too, the lower spacer 7 formed ofcorrugated cardboard, the lower pad 20 formed of sheet-like plasticfoam, the projector 50 as the article to be packaged that is wrapped inan anti-static bag 500 having electrical conductivity, the upper pad 10formed of sheet-like plastic foam and the upper spacer 8 formed ofcorrugated cardboard are put one over another in the foregoing orderinside the corrugated cardboard box 2 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0081] A plurality of upper pad side hollow convex portions 15 and aplurality of lower pad side hollow convex portions 25 respectivelyprotrude from the upper pad 10 and from the lower pad 20 in such afashion as to encompass the accommodation space 21 of the projector 50.The lower end face of each upper pad side hollow convex portion 15 keepscontact with the upper end face of each lower pad side hollow convexportion 25. Therefore, the projector 50 is encompassed by the upper padside hollow convex portions 15 and the lower pad side hollow convexportions 25 between the upper pad 10 and the lower pad 20 and isprotected from vibration during transportation.

[0082] In this embodiment, rib-like convex portions 158 are formed onthe upper end face of the lower pad side hollow convex portions 25throughout the entire periphery of the accommodation space 21 of theprojector 50 as shown in FIG. 6. On the other hand, annular concaveportions 158 into which the rib-like convex portions 158 of the lowerpad side hollow convex portions 15 fit are formed on the lower end faceof the upper pad side hollow convex portions 15.

[0083] Therefore, the upper pad side hollow convex portions 15 and thelower pad side hollow convex portions 25 are engaged with each other atthe concave portions 158 and the convex portions 258. So, even if animpact is applied from the direction of the side surface, the upper pad10 and the lower pad 20 will not deviate from each other, and the wallsurface of the upper pad side hollow convex portions 15 will not hit theprojector 50 hard. Consequently, the impact from the direction of theside surface is not transmitted to the projector 50 through the upperpad 10 or the lower pad 20. The rib-like convex portions 158 and theannular concave portions 158 work to reinforce the periphery of theaccommodation space 21 of the projector 50 of the lower pad side hollowconvex portions 15 and the periphery of the accommodation space 21 ofthe projector 500 of the upper-pad-side hollow convex portions 15, whichprovides the advantage that the lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25and the upper-pad-side hollow convex portions 15 have high strength.This embodiment is particularly effective, for example, when a circuitboard is arranged on the upper surface of the projector 50 and the upperpad 10 has to be prevented from hitting the upper end face of theprojector 50 or its corner portions.

[0084] The concave portions 258 of the lower pad side hollow convexportions 25 and the convex portions 158 of the upper pad side hollowconvex portions are formed throughout the entire periphery of theaccommodation space 21 of the projector 50, but may be partiallyinterrupted so long as they are formed in such a fashion as to encompassthe accommodation space 21 of the projector 50. Rib-like convex portionsmay be formed on the lower end face of the upper-pad-side hollow convexportions 15 while annular concave portions may be formed on the upperend face of the lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25.

Embodiment 4

[0085]FIG. 8 is a sectional view schematically showing main portions ofa cushioning material for packaging according to Embodiment 4 of theinvention. Since the cushioning material for packaging according to thisembodiment has fundamentally the same construction as that of Embodiment1, like reference numerals will be used to identify portions havingcommon functions and their explanation will be omitted.

[0086] The overall construction of this embodiment is as follows. Topackage the projector 50 in the corrugated cardboard box 2 (a discretebox), in this embodiment, too, the lower spacer 7 formed of corrugatedcardboard, the lower pad 20 formed of sheet-like plastic foam, theprojector 50 as the article to be packaged that is wrapped in ananti-static bag 500 having electrical conductivity, the upper pad 10formed of sheet-like plastic foam and the upper spacer 8 formed ofcorrugated cardboard are put one over another in the foregoing order, ashas been explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the upper andlower pads 10 and 20, a plurality of upper-pad-side hollow convexportions 15 and a plurality of lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25respectively protrude from the upper pad 10 and the lower pad 20 in sucha fashion as to encompass the accommodation space 21 for the projector50. The lower end face of each upper pad side hollow convex portion 15keeps contact with the upper end face of each lower pad side hollowconvex portion 25. Therefore, the projector 50 is encompassed by theupper pad side hollow convex portions 15 and the lower pad side hollowconvex portions 25 between the upper pad 10 and the lower pad 20 and isprotected from vibration during transportation.

[0087] The upper spacer 8 has four upper side reinforcing plate portions81 that enter deep into the upper-pad-side hollow convex portions 15when the upper spacer 8 is put over the upper pad 10, and that areformed in a bent form. Each reinforcing plate portion 81 exhibits aU-shaped section when it is cut in directions of both minor and majorsides. The lower spacer 7, too, has four lower side reinforcing plateportions 71 that enter deep into the lower-pad-side hollow convexportions 25 when the lower spacer 7 is put under the lower pad 20, andthat are formed in a bent form. Each reinforcing plate portion 71exhibits a U-shaped section when it is cut in directions of both minorand major sides.

[0088] Here, since both upper and lower pads 10 and 10 are formed ofsheet-like plastic foam, sidewall portions 150 and 250 having a taper ofabout 2 degrees are likely to sag with the passage of time. Therefore,the upper side reinforcing plate portion 81 of the upper spacer 8 andthe lower side reinforcing plate portion 71 of the lower spacer 7 are inabutment against the roots of the sidewall portions 150 and 250 of theupper and lower pads 10 and 20, respectively, as shown in FIG. 8. Inconsequence, the sidewall portions 150 and 250 of the upper and lowerpads 10 and 20 are sandwiched between the upper side reinforcing plateportion 81 of the upper spacer 8 and the side surface portion of thecorrugated cardboard box 2 and also between the lower side reinforcingplate portion 71 of the lower spacer 7 and the side surface portion ofthe corrugated cardboard box 2. The sidewall portions 150 and 250 of theupper and lower pads 10 and 20 can thus be prevented from deformation.

Embodiment 5

[0089]FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are a perspective view showing main portionsof an upper pad used for a cushioning material for packaging accordingto Embodiment 5 of the invention, a perspective view schematicallyshowing main portions of a lower pad used for this cushioning materialfor packaging, and a sectional view schematically showing a mode ofpackaging a projector (an electronic apparatus) as an article to bepackaged in a corrugated cardboard box using the cushioning material forpackaging. Incidentally, since the cushioning material for packagingaccording to this embodiment has fundamentally the same construction asthat of Embodiment 1, like reference numerals will be used to identifyportions having common functions and their explanation will be omitted.

[0090] The overall construction of this embodiment is as follows. Topackage the projector 50 in the corrugated cardboard box 2 (a discretebox), in this embodiment, too, the lower spacer 7 formed of corrugatedcardboard, the lower pad 20 formed of sheet-like plastic foam, theprojector 50 as the article to be packaged that is wrapped in ananti-static bag 500 having electrical conductivity, the upper pad 10formed of sheet-like plastic foam and the upper spacer 8 formed ofcorrugated cardboard are put one over another in the foregoing order, ashas been explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0091] In the upper and lower pads 10 and 20, a plurality ofupper-pad-side hollow convex portions 15 and a plurality oflower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25 respectively protrude from theupper pad 10 and the lower pad 20 in such a fashion as to encompass theaccommodation space 21 for the projector 50. The lower end face of eachupper pad side hollow convex portion 15 keeps contact with the upper endface of each lower-pad-side hollow convex portion 25. Therefore, theprojector 50 is encompassed by the upper-pad-side hollow convex portions15 and the lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25 between the upperpad 10 and the lower pad 20 and is protected from vibration duringtransportation.

[0092] The upper spacer 8 has four upper side reinforcing plate portions81 that enter deep into the upper side hollow convex portions 15 whenthe upper spacer 8 is put over the upper pad 10, and that are formed ina bent form. Each reinforcing plate portion 81 exhibits a U-shapedsection when it is cut in directions of both minor and major sides. Thelower spacer 7, too, has four lower side reinforcing plate portions 71that enter deep into the lower side hollow convex portions 25 when thelower spacer 7 is put under the lower pad 20, and that are formed in abent form. Each reinforcing plate portion 71 exhibits a U-shaped sectionwhen it is cut in directions of both minor and major sides.

[0093] Here, two lower side reinforcing plates 71 and two lower sidereinforcing plate portions 81 are formed in a bent form on both sides ofthe same side of the lower and upper spacers 7 and 8 as shown in FIGS.9A, 9B and 9C, and portions 75 and 85 between them extend sideways assuch and hit the side surfaces of the corrugated cardboard box 2.Therefore, this embodiment has high impact resistance from the sidedirections.

Embodiment 6

[0094]FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are respectively an explanatory view showing amode of packaging a projector (an electronic apparatus) as an article tobe packaged in a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning materialfor packaging according to Embodiment 6 of the invention, a sectionalview schematically showing a condition where the corrugated cardboardbox packaging the projector is cut in a minor side direction, and asectional view schematically showing a condition where the corrugatedcardboard box packing the projector is cut in a major side direction.

[0095] In FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, an article that is to be packaged usingthe cushioning material 1 for packaging according to this embodiment isa projector (or an optical engine mounted in the projector) 50, whereina projection lens 56 protrudes from front surface of the projector 50.

[0096] To package such a projector 50 in the corrugated cardboard box 2(a discrete box), in this embodiment, the lower spacer 7 formed ofcorrugated cardboard, the lower pad 20, the projector 50 as the articleto be packaged that is wrapped in an anti-static bag 500 havingelectrical conductivity, the upper spacer 8 made of corrugated cardboardand the accessory accommodation box 9 are put one over another in theforegoing order inside the corregated cardboard box 2. Here, theaccessory accommodation box 9 accommodates a remote controller amongvarious accessories.

[0097] A plurality of lower pad side hollow convex portions 25 of thelower pad 20 protrude in such a fashion as to encompass theaccommodation space 21 for the projector 50. Therefore, the projector 50is encompassed by the lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25 betweenthe lower pad 20 and the upper spacer 8, and is protected from vibrationduring transportation. The flange portion 22 that is explained withreference to FIG. 3 is formed at the lower end of the sidewall portion250 of the lower pad 20. Here, a pulp mold can be used for the lower pad20, but a molding of sheet-like plastic foam having a thickness of 3 mmand produced from recycled PET is used in this embodiment.

[0098] The lower spacer 7 has four lower side reinforcing plate portions71 that enter deep into the lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25when the lower spacer 7 is put under the lower pad 20, and that areformed in a bent form. Each reinforcing plate portion 71 exhibits aU-shaped section when it is cut in directions of both minor and majorsides. Here, the lower side reinforcing plate portions 71 have differentheight corresponding to the shape of the lower pad side hollow convexportions 25.

[0099] In contrast, the upper spacer 8 is provided on the side of itsopposing major sides with two upper side reinforcing plate portions 82and 83 that are bent along the sidewall portions 251 at positions moreoutward than the sidewall portions 250 of the lower pad 20. The loweredge portions of these upper side reinforcing plate portions 82 and 83substantially reach the bottom of the corrugated cardboard box 2. Ofthese two upper side reinforcing plate portions 82 and 83, the upperside reinforcing plate portion 83 on the positioning side of theprojection lens 56 has a double-fold structure.

[0100] When the cushioning material 1 for packing having theconstruction described above is used, the projector 50 is accommodatedbetween the upper spacer 8 and the lower pad 20. In this condition, theupper part of the upper spacer 8 keeps contact with the lower surface ofthe accessory accommodation box 9, and the upper side reinforcing plateportions 82 and 83 extend downward from the upper spacer 8 at thepositions outside the sidewall portions 251 of the lower pad 20.Therefore, even if an impact is applied from the vertical direction, theupper side reinforcing plate portions 82 and 83 will protect thelower-pad-side hollow convex portions-25 of the lower pad 20. In otherwords, even if an impact is applied from the vertical direction, thelower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25 will not be broken and willprotect the projector 50 from the impact.

[0101] In this embodiment, the opening 70 is formed at the centerportion of the bottom of the lower spacer 7 that overlaps plane-wise theaccommodation portion of the projector 50. Therefore, even when theaccommodation portion of the projector 50 protrudes downward in thelower pad 20, it does not hit the lower spacer 7. In other words, evenif an impact is applied from the vertical direction, the impact will notbe directly transmitted from the lower spacer 7 to the accommodationportion of the projector 50 in the lower pad 20. Consequently, theimpact transmitted to the projector 50 from the vertical direction canbe mitigated.

[0102] In this embodiment, the sidewall portion 255 of the lower pad 20is recessed inward to define a step portion 257 capable of accommodatingthe accessory in this recess portion 256. A window 201 for putting apower source cable and an instruction manual among the accessories intothe recess portion 256 is formed in the side surface of the corrugatedcardboard box 2. Therefore, the accessory such as the power source cable901 and the instruction manual 902 can be put easily even after theprojector 50 is completely packaged in the corrugated cardboard box 2using the cushioning material 1 for packaging.

[0103] Moreover, the upper side reinforcing plate portions 82 and 83 ofthe spacer 8 extend towards the side surfaces of the corrugatedcardboard box 2 on the side of the recess portion 256 of the lower pad20. For this reason, even if an impact is applied from the sides, theimpact will be borne by the upper reinforcing plate portions 82 and 83of the upper spacer 8.

Embodiment 7

[0104]FIGS. 13 and 14 are a sectional view schematically showing acondition where a corrugated cardboard box, into which a projector (anelectronic apparatus) as an article to be packaged is packaged using acushioning material for packaging according to Embodiment 7 of theinvention, is cut in a minor side direction, and a sectional viewschematically showing a condition where the corrugated cardboard box iscut in a major side direction. Incidentally, since the cushioningmaterial for packaging according to this embodiment has fundamentallythe same construction as that of Embodiment 5, like reference numeralswill be used to identify portions having common functions and theirexplanation will be omitted.

[0105] In FIGS. 13 and 14, an article to be packaged using thecushioning material 1 for packaging according to this embodiment is aprojector (or an optical engine mounted in the projector) 50, too. Topackage such a projector 50 in the corrugated cardboard box 2 (adiscrete box), in this embodiment, the lower spacer 7 formed ofcorrugated cardboard, the lower pad 20 formed of sheet-like plasticfoam, the projector 50 as the article to be packaged that is wrapped inan anti-static bag 500 having electrical conductivity, the upper spacer8 formed of corrugated cardboard and the accessory accommodation box 9are put one over another in the foregoing order, inside the corrugatedcardboard box 2.

[0106] A plurality of lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25 of thelower pad 20 protrude in such a fashion as to encompass theaccommodation space 21 of the projector 50. Therefore, thelower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25 encompass the projector 50between the lower pad 20 and the upper spacer 8.

[0107] In this embodiment, however, since the projector 50 has a greaterheight the upper surface of the projector 50 sticks out significantlyfrom the upper end face of the lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25of the lower pad 20. The upper spacer 8 used in this embodiment isprovided on the side of its opposing major sides with two upper sidereinforcing plate portions 82 and 83 that are bent along the sidewallportions 251 at positions more outward than the sidewall portions 250 ofthe lower pad 20. The lower end portions of these upper side reinforcingplate portions 82 and 83 substantially reach the bottom of thecorrugated cardboard box 2. Therefore, the projector 50 is accommodatedbetween the upper spacer 8 and the lower pad 20. In this condition, evenif an impact is applied from the vertical direction, the upper sidereinforcing plate portions 82 and 83 of the upper spacer 8 will protectthe projector 50. Consequently, the projector 50 can be reliablyprotected from the impact, even if the hollow convex portions 25 on thelower pad side which correspond to the height of the projector 50 cannotbe formed because of a limit in the deep-drawing dimensions when moldingthe lower pad 20 from the sheet-like foam that has a thickness of 3 mmand is formed of recycled PET.

Embodiment 8

[0108]FIGS. 15A and 15B are an explanatory view showing a mode ofpackaging a projector (an electronic apparatus) as an article to bepackaged in a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning material forpackaging according to Embodiment 8 of the invention and a perspectiveview showing an upper spacer used for the cushioning material forpackaging.

[0109] In FIG. 15A, the article that is to be packaged using thecushioning material 1 for packaging according to this embodiment is aprojector (or an optical engine mounted in the projector) 50, too. Topackage such a projector 50 in the corrugated cardboard box 2 (adiscrete box), in this embodiment, the lower spacer 7 formed ofcorrugated cardboard, the lower pad 20 formed of sheet-like plasticfoam, the projector 50, the upper spacer 8 formed of corrugatedcardboard and the accessory accommodation box 9 are put one over anotherin the foregoing order, inside the corrugated cardboard box 2.

[0110] A plurality of lower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25 of thelower pad 20 protrude in such a fashion as to encompass theaccommodation space 21 of the projector 50. Therefore, thelower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25 encompass the projector 50between the lower pad 20 and the upper spacer 8.

[0111] In contrast, the upper spacer 8 is provided on the side of itsopposing major sides with two upper side reinforcing plate portions 82and 83 that are bent along the sidewall portions 251 at positions moreoutward than the sidewall portions 250 of the lower pad 20. The lowerend portions of these upper side reinforcing plate portions 82 and 83substantially reach the bottom of the corrugated cardboard box 2.

[0112] In the upper spacer 8, the upper side reinforcing sheet plates 82and 83 are bent downward with a part of each of them being left uncut.The uncut portions 86 extend sideways as such and butt against the sidesurfaces of the corrugated cardboard box 2. Therefore, the cushioningmaterial of this embodiment has the advantage that it has high impactresistance from the side directions.

Embodiment 9

[0113]FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are respectively an explanatory view showing amode of packaging a projector (an electronic apparatus) as an article tobe packaged in a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning materialfor packaging according to Embodiment 7 of the invention, a sectionalview schematically showing a condition where the corrugated cardboardbox packaging the projector is cut in a minor side direction, and asectional view schematically showing a condition where the corrugatedcardboard box packaging the projector is cut in a major side direction.

[0114] In FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, an article that is to be packaged usingthe cushioning material 1 for packaging according to this embodiment isa projector (or an optical engine mounted in the projector) 50, whereina projection lens 56 protrudes from front surface of the projector 50.

[0115] To package such a projector 50 in the corrugated cardboard box 2(a discrete box), in this embodiment, the lower stiffening plate 3formed of corrugated cardboard, the lower pad 20, the projector 50 asthe article to be packaged that is wrapped in an anti-static bag 500having electrical conductivity, the upper spacer 8 formed of corrugatedcardboard and an accessory accommodation tray 9A are put one overanother in the foregoing order inside the corrugated cardboard box 2.

[0116] Here, the accessory accommodation tray 9 is provided on itsopposing major sides with prismatic hollow portions 95. A remotecontroller 903, an AV cable 904, a cell 905, a mouse cable set 906 and acomputer cable 907 among various accessories are accommodated in arecess portion 915 and spaces 916 and 917 defined between the pair ofhollow portions 95.

[0117] A plurality of lower pad side hollow convex portions 25 of thelower pad 20 protrude in such a fashion as to encompass theaccommodation space 21 of the projector 50. Therefore, thelower-pad-side hollow convex portions 25 encompass the projector 50between the lower pad 20 and the upper spacer 8, and protect theprojector from vibration during transportation. A molding produced fromsheet-like plastic foam having a thickness of 3 mm and produced fromrecycled PET can be used for the lower pad 20, but a molding from a pulpmold is used in this embodiment.

[0118] The upper spacer 8 is provided on its opposing major sides withprismatic hollow portions 85 sandwiched between the accessoryaccommodation tray 9A and the lower side hollow convex portions 25.

[0119] When packaged using the cushioning material 1 for packaginghaving the construction described above, the projector 50 isaccommodated between the upper spacer 8 and the lower pad 20. In thiscondition, the upper part of the upper spacer 8 keeps contact with thelower surface of the accessory accommodation tray 9, and the prismatichollow portions 85 of the upper spacer 8 are interposed between theaccessory accommodation tray 9A and the lower pad side hollow convexportions 25 of the lower pad 20. Therefore, the respective hollowportions 85 can accommodate a taller projector 50. In such a case, too,the projector 50 is protected between the upper spacer 8 and the lowerpad 20 from the vertical direction and the side surface direction, andthe impact will not be directly applied to the projector 50.

[0120] In this embodiment, the sidewall portion 255 of the lower pad 20is recessed inward, and a step portion 257 capable of accommodating theaccessory is formed in this recess portion 256. A window 201 forinserting a power source cable 901 is formed in the side surface of thecorrugated cardboard box 2 in such a fashion as to correspond to therecess portion 256. Therefore, the power source cable 901 can be easilyput even after the projector 50 is completely packaged in the corrugatedcardboard box 2 using the cushioning material 1 for packaging.

Embodiment 10

[0121]FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 are respectively an explanatory view showing amode of packaging a projector (an electronic apparatus) as an article tobe packaged in a corrugated cardboard box using a cushioning materialfor packaging according to Embodiment 8 of the invention, a sectionalview schematically showing a condition where the corrugated cardboardbox packaging the projector is cut in a minor side direction, and asectional view schematically showing a condition where the corrugatedcardboard box packaging the projector is cut in a major side direction.

[0122] In FIGS. 19 and 20, the article that is to be packaged using thecushioning material 1 for packaging according to this embodiment is aprojector (or an optical engine mounted in the projector) 50, wherein aprojection lens 56 protrudes from a front surface of the projector 50.

[0123] To package such a projector 50 in the corrugated cardboard box 2(a discrete box), in this embodiment, a lower stiffening plate 3 ofcorrugated cardboard, a lower pad 20, the projector 50 as the article tobe packaged that is wrapped in an anti-static bag 500 having electricalconductivity, and an accessory accommodation box 9 are put one overanother in the foregoing order inside the corrugated cardboard box 2.

[0124] A plurality of lower pad side hollow convex portions 25 of thelower pad 20 protrude in such a fashion as to encompass theaccommodation space 21 of the projector 50. Therefore, the lower padside hollow convex portions 25 encompass the projector 50 between thelower pad 20 and the accessory accommodation box 9, and protect theprojector 50 from vibration during transportation. A molding producedfrom sheet-like plastic foam having a thickness of 3 mm and producedfrom recycled PET can be used for the lower pad 20, but a molding from apulp mold is used in this embodiment.

[0125] To accommodate various accessories, an accessory accommodationbody 9B comprising the accessory accommodation box 9 formed ofcorrugated cardboard and the accessory accommodation tray 9A formed ofcorrugated cardboard for accommodating various accessories at respectivepositions inside the accessory accommodation box 9 is used in thisembodiment.

[0126] The accessory accommodation tray 9A is provided on its both sideswith prismatic hollow portions 921 and 922. A portion interposed betweenthese hollow portions 921 and 922 is a recess portion 923. A remotecontroller 903, an AV cable 904, a cell 905, a mouse cable set 906, acomputer cable 907, an instruction manual 908 and a soft case 909 can beaccommodated at predetermined positions on the accessory accommodationtray 9A.

[0127] A flap-like partition 95 is formed inside the accessoryaccommodation box 9 and partitions the inside of the accessoryaccommodation box 9 into two spaces 931 and 932. Therefore, theaccessory accommodation tray 9A can be accommodated in the space 931 andthe power source cable 901 in the space 932.

[0128] A drop slot 941 is formed in a lower -half portion of the sidesurface 940 facing the space 932 among the side surfaces of theaccessory accommodation box 9. Although the partition 95 partitions theinside of the accessory accommodation box 9 into the two spaces 931 and932, the partition 95 is formed into a belt shape having a width that isless than the inner height of the accessory accommodation box 9.Therefore, a gap 942 is formed between the partition 95 and the bottomof the accessory accommodation box 9. Since the partition 95 is onlyfixed at its proximal end into the side surface of the accessoryaccommodation box 9, the portion partitioning the spaces 931 and 932 ismovable. Furthermore, a protrusion 925 is so formed in the accessoryaccommodation tray 9A as to protrude downward from its bottom surface.Therefore, another gap 944 (see FIG. 20) is formed between the bottomsurface of the accessory accommodation tray 9A and the bottom surface ofthe accessory accommodation box 9 when the accessory accommodation tray9A is accommodated in the accessory accommodation box 9.

[0129] When the projector 50 is packaged in the corrugated cardboard box2 using the cushioning material 1 for packaging that has theconstruction described above, the projector 50 is accommodated betweenthe lower pad 20 and the accessory accommodation body 9B (the accessoryaccommodation box 9). In such conditions, the lower pad side hollowconvex portions 25 of the lower pad 20 and the buffer function of theaccessory accommodation box 9 work to protect the projector 50. Even ifan impact is applied from the vertical direction and the side surfacedirection, therefore, the impact will not be directly transmitted to theprojector 50.

[0130] In this embodiment, a window 201 is formed on the side surface ofthe corrugated cardboard box 2 at a position corresponding to the dropslot 941 formed in the accessory accommodation box 9 when the accessoryaccommodation box 9 is accommodated in the corrugated cardboard box 2.Moreover, the gap 942 is defined between the partition and the bottom ofthe accessory accommodation box 9 inside the accessory accommodation box9, and the gap 944 is also formed between the bottom surface of theaccessory accommodation tray 9A and the bottom of the accessoryaccommodation box 9. Therefore, even after the projector 50 and theaccessory accommodation box 9 are completely packaged in the corrugatedcardboard box 2, an additional instruction manual translated into aspecific language can be inserted into the drop slot 941 through thewindow 201. The instruction manual 902 so inserted can slide into thegap 944 between the bottom surface of the accessory accommodation tray9A and the bottom of the accessory accommodation box 9 through the gap942 formed between the partition 95 and the bottom of the accessoryaccommodation box 9.

[0131] The partition 95 partitions the accessory accommodation box 9into the two spaces 931 and 932. Since the gap 942 is defined betweenthe partition 95 and the bottom of the accessory accommodation box 9,however, the instruction manual 902 can be accommodated across thespaces 931 and 932. Therefore, an instruction manual 902 having a sizegreater than the individual spaces 931 and 932 can be easilyaccommodated.

Other Embodiments

[0132] The construction explained in each of the embodiments describedabove may be combined with others. For example, the flat sheet-likestiffening plate 3 is used in Embodiments 9 and 10 but the lower spacer7 explained in Embodiment 1 may also be used.

[0133] When the lower stiffening plate 3 is used, an opening may beformed at a portion overlapping plane-wise the projector accommodationportion as explained in Embodiment 1.

[0134] The foregoing Embodiments have been explained about the projectoras the article to be packaged, but the invention may also be applied topackaging of other electronic apparatus and optical apparatus.

1. A cushioning material for packaging, comprising an upper pad and alower pad respectively having upper pad side hollow convex portions andlower-pad-side hollow convex portions protruding in such a fashion as toencompass an accommodation space for an article to be packaged, saidcushioning material further comprising an upper spacer having upper sidereinforcing plate portions entering deep into said upper pad side hollowconvex portions when said upper spacer is put over said upper pad.
 2. Acushioning material for packaging, comprising an upper pad and a lowerpad respectively having upper-pad-side hollow convex portions andlower-pad-side hollow convex portions protruding in such a fashion as toencompass an accommodation space for an article to be packaged, saidcushioning material further comprising a lower spacer having lower sidereinforcing plate portions entering deep into said lower-pad-side hollowconvex portions when said lower spacer is put under said lower pad.
 3. Acushioning material for packaging, comprising an upper pad and a lowerpad respectively having upper-pad-side hollow convex portions andlower-pad-side hollow convex portions protruding in such a fashion as toencompass an accommodation space for an article to be packaged, saidcushioning material further comprising a lower spacer having lower sidereinforcing plate portions entering deep into said lower-pad-side hollowconvex portions when said lower spacer is put under said lower pad, andan upper spacer having upper side reinforcing plate portions enteringdeep into said upper-pad-side hollow convex portions when said upperspacer is put over said upper pad.
 4. A cushioning material forpackaging, comprising an upper pad and a lower pad respectively havingupper pad side hollow convex portions and lower-pad-side hollow convexportions protruding in such a fashion as to encompass an accommodationspace for an article to be packaged, wherein a convex portion and aconcave portion one of which enters into the other are respectivelyformed on a lower end face of said upper pad side hollow convex portionand on an upper end face of said lower pad side hollow convex portion.5. A cushioning material for packaging according to claim 4, furthercomprising an upper spacer having upper side reinforcing plate portionsentering deep into said upper pad side hollow convex portions when saidupper spacer is put over said upper pad.
 6. A cushioning material forpackaging according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a lower spacerhaving lower side reinforcing plate portions entering deep into saidlower pad side hollow convex portions when said lower spacer is putunder said lower pad.
 7. A cushioning material for packaging accordingto claim 2, 3 or 6, wherein said lower spacer has an opening formed at aportion overlapping plane-wise a portion where said article to bepackaged is accommodated.
 8. A cushioning material for packagingaccording to claim 1, 3 or 5, wherein said upper spacer has an openingformed at a portion overlapping plane-wise a portion where said articleto be packaged is accommodated.
 9. A cushioning material for packagingaccording to claim 1, 3, 5 or 8, wherein said upper spacer is formed ofcorrugated cardboard.
 10. A cushioning material for packaging accordingto claim 2, 3, 6 or 7, wherein said lower spacer is formed of corrugatedcardboard.
 11. A cushioning material for packaging according to any ofclaims 1 through 10, wherein both of said upper pad and said lower padare formed of sheet-like plastic foam.
 12. A cushioning material forpackaging according to any of claims 1 through 10, wherein both of saidupper pad and said lower pad are formed of pulp mold.
 13. A cushioningmaterial for packaging, comprising a lower pad having lower pad sidehollow convex portions protruding in such a fashion as to encompass anaccommodation space for an article to be packaged, and an accessoryaccommodation body put over said article to be packaged accommodated insaid lower pad, said cushioning material further including, between saidarticle to be packaged and said accessory accommodation body, an upperspacer having upper side reinforcing plate portions bent along asidewall portion of said lower pad at positions more outward than saidsidewall portion.
 14. A cushioning material for packaging, comprising alower pad having lower pad side hollow convex portions protruding insuch a fashion as to encompass an accommodation space for an article tobe packaged, and an accessory accommodation body put over said articleto be packaged accommodated in said lower pad, said cushioning materialfurther including, between said article to be packaged and saidaccessory accommodation body, an upper spacer having prismatic hollowportions sandwiched between said article to be packaged and said lowerpad side hollow convex portions.
 15. A cushioning material for packagingaccording to claim 13 or 14, wherein said upper spacer is formed ofcorrugated cardboard.
 16. A cushioning material for packaging accordingto any of claims 1 through 15, wherein the sidewall portion of saidlower pad is recessed inward and has a step portion that will permitplacement of an accessory in said recess portion.
 17. A cushioningmaterial for packaging, comprising a lower pad having lower pad sidehollow convex portions protruding in such a fashion as to encompass anaccommodation space for an article to be packaged, and an accessoryaccommodation body put over said article to be packaged accommodated insaid lower pad, wherein said accessory accommodation body is partitionedby a partition into a plurality of spaces, and a gap into which aninstruction manual which is part of said accessories can be inserted isformed between said partition and the bottom of said accessoryaccommodation body, and wherein a drop slot is formed on a side surfaceof said accessory accommodation body, the drop slot allowing saidinstruction manual to be inserted into the gap between the partition andthe bottom of said accessory accommodation body.
 18. A cushioningmaterial for packaging according to claim 17, wherein said accessoryaccommodation body includes an accessory accommodation box partitionedby said partition into a plurality of spaces and an accessoryaccommodation tray accommodated in one of said plurality of spaces, saidpartition and said drop slot being formed in said accessoryaccommodation box, and another gap being formed between said accessoryaccommodation tray and the bottom of said accessory accommodation box insuch a fashion that said instruction manual inserted through said dropslot goes under said partition and slides into the gap.
 19. A cushioningmaterial for packaging according to any of claims 13 through 18, furthercomprising a lower spacer having lower side reinforcing plate portionsentering deep into said lower pad side hollow convex portions when saidlower spacer is put under said lower pad.
 20. A cushioning material forpackaging according to claim 19, wherein said lower spacer has anopening formed at a portion overlapping plane-wise a portion where saidarticle to be packaged is accommodated.
 21. A cushioning material forpackaging according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said lower spacer isformed of corrugated cardboard.
 22. A cushioning material for packagingaccording to any of claims 13 through 18, further comprising a lowerstiffening plate put under said lower pad.
 23. A cushioning material forpackaging according to claim 22, wherein said lower stiffening plate hasan opening formed at a portion overlapping plane-wise a portion wheresaid article to be packaged is accommodated.
 24. A cushioning materialfor packaging according to claim 22 or 23, wherein said lower stiffeningplate is formed of corrugated cardboard.
 25. A cushioning material forpackaging according to any of claims 13 through 24, wherein said lowerpad is formed of plastic foam.
 26. A cushioning material for packagingaccording to any of claims 13 through 24, wherein said upper pad isformed of pulp mold.
 27. A cushioning material for packaging accordingto any of claims 1 through 26, wherein said lower pad has a flangeportion extended from a lower edge of a sidewall portion positioned onan outer peripheral side, said flange portion being folded back insidesaid sidewall portion to double said sidewall portion, thereby forming asidewall reinforcing portion.
 28. A cushioning material for packagingaccording to claim 27, wherein reinforcing ribs are formed on saidflange portion.
 29. A package according to any of claims 1 through 28,wherein said article to be packaged is an electronic apparatus, anelectronic apparatus having an optical system mounted therein or anoptical apparatus.
 30. A package obtained by packaging said article tobe packaged in a corrugated cardboard box using said cushioning materialfor packaging according to any of claims 1 through
 29. 31. A packageobtained by packaging said article to be packaged in a corrugatedcardboard box using said cushioning material for packaging according toclaim 16, wherein a window for inserting said accessory into said recessportion is formed on a side surface of said corrugated cardboard box.32. A package obtained by packaging said article to be packaged in acorrugated cardboard box using said cushioning material for packagingaccording to claim 17 or 18, wherein a window for inserting saidaccessory into said drop slot is formed on a side surface of saidcorrugated cardboard box.